en http://www.hbaptist.org © Copyright 2000 - 2009Church Community Builder. All Rights Reserved. http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1 The Heritage Baptist Church is an independent, fundamental church that seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ is every area of life! We believe that He alone is the answer to every need and question in life. It is in Him we have placed our trust. It is in Him we find our peace. It is through Him we serve and love. We have found Him to be perfectly faithful and completely wonderful. It is our desire to bring the good news of our Savior to the lost world around us. We long to teach believers to follow Christ in the obedience, joy, power and the filling of the Holy Spirit. We enjoy an intergenerational approach to our worship services. We encourage families to worship together. The Holy Bible is the centerpiece of our worship. Our music is traditional and conservative. After every Sunday worship service, we share a fellowship meal at the church. After lunch we teach the Bible in our Family School service. Come join us for a wonderful day of worship! Pastor Bob Barton Wed, 3 Dec 2008 07:48:46 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=15 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=15&article_id=4 We desire by God's grace to be ... 1. A Church that Pursues Christ-Centered Living We desire to keep our focus on abiding in Christ through our walk with God and daily testimony of faith. Our priority is to live in genuine revival, and we seek to make disciples who love God and walk with God (Mt. 6:33; Lk. 9:23). To do this, we must have ... 2. A Church that Practices Proactive Accountability We must love each other enough to encourage one another in the walk of faith through humble encouragement, confrontation, and even discipline. Accountability goes beyond establishing consequences for violation of certain principles and policies and builds a "family" relationship that helps prevent straying in the first place (Matt. 18; Gal. 6:1-2; Eph. 5:11). To accomplish this in a spirit of humility and love, we must have ... 3. A Church that Embodies Genuine Fellowship We must love and care for others more than ourselves by being open, honest, transparent, and vulnerable. Working diligently at achieving intimacy within the family of God brings unity and strength. We must rely on one another, trust one another, and encourage one another (Jn. 13:34; Acts 2:42; Rom. 12:10; 15:14; Eph. 4:32; I Thes. 4:18; Heb. 10:24; I Jn. 1:3). We believe that the best way to accomplish this is through ... 4. A Church that is Family Structured Since the family is God's basic organization for ministry, we seek to minister to families through families, the building blocks of the church. Rather than segregating according to age, we teach families to minister as a family and help parents train their children. Our families vary from singles to those with young children, grown children, or no children at all. We minister to all and encourage all to build a heritage for God (Dt. 6; Prov. 22:6; Mt. 19:14; Mk. 7:27; 9:37; Col.3:20; Tit. 2:4). And last, we believe in holiness and therefore desire ... 5. A Church that has Well-Articulated Standards Scripture is our benchmark for living. In this day of vagueness, the church of Jesus Christ must know what it believes. Our standards must be specific and based upon what the Bible says, and we must communicate how we apply these truths in daily living. Clearly taught standards foster unity. Our goal is not to produce clones but unique servants of God who agree with the truth of God's Word and its application in life and culture. (II Tim. 4:2-5; Tit. 2) We believe these principles are the will of God for this church and can be taught, modeled by leadership, and encouraged with well-designed ministry. Heritage Baptist Church Pastor Bob Barton Wed, 3 Dec 2008 07:47:10 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=13 A Family Newsletter The Heritage Baptist Church "newsletter" is family newspaper. It is a place for articles, columns, announcements, testimonies and other tidbits which might be helpful or interesting to our church family. It is out hope that you are blessed by and enjoy our newsletter. If you have something you would like to submit for publication, do not hesitate to do so. Submit articles by sending them to hope@hbaptist.org. Pastor Bob Barton Wed, 3 Dec 2008 07:45:16 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=36 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=36&article_id=211 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:30:48 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14&article_id=2 The HERITAGE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP exists to glorify Almighty God! We seek to do this by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through five specific means. 1. Worship We are called to worship God in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:23). Personal: As Christians, we recognize and worship the living God in every area of life. Personal worship is a continual inner attitude which affects every outward manner of life. We teach, encourage, and expect our members to live a life that pursues a constant attitude of worship. Public: In obedience to God's command, our fellowship gathers regularly to worship, exalt God, and encourage each other (Heb. 10:25). These gatherings are not the center of our worship but simply the overflow, or continuance, of a personal life of worship. 2. Evangelism Our God has a heart to reach the entire world. As believers, we desire that none should perish but that all should come to God. We have the privilege and obligation to impact others for Christ. To neglect personal witnessing is disobedience to God (Mt. 28:19,20; Acts 1:8; II Pet. 3:9). 3. Discipleship To equip the believers for the work of the ministry, we offer solid, fundamental Bible training. This training includes the modeling of, and shepherding by, leaders who teach the Word and continually encourage members by the grace of God. More than presenting truth, discipleship is training and involves progressive instruction, relational application and encouragement, as well as personal accountability. Our weekly preaching is expository in style, spiritual in design and intent, as well as practical in application. (I Cor. 4:17; Col. 1:28,29; II Tim. 2:15; 3:16,17; Heb. 3:13; 4:12;) 4. Service God uniquely gifts each of His children to serve Him. We encourage our people to serve each other, those in need within our community, and anywhere else the Lord directs (Mt. 6:24; Lk. 22:26; Jn. 12:26; Gal.. 5:13). 5. Prayer Jesus said His church is to be a place of prayer. God calls believers to pray without ceasing and to pray for one another. We believe that fervent and prevailing prayer is the battlefield of a spiritual man or woman and the place of communion with God. The Bible also models and teaches that special seasons of prayer are a normal part of the Christian life. We believe that people who love God, love to communicate with and spend time with God. Therefore, our prayer life is an excellent litmus test of our spiritual life. Without prayer, the Christian can have neither godliness nor holiness (Is. 56:7; Mt. 6:6; 17:21; 21:13; Acts 1:14; 6:4; 12:5; Rom. 8:26,27; Phil. 4:6; I Tim. 2:1-5; I Thes. 5:17; Heb. 7:25; James 5:16). Thu, 6 Nov 2008 06:23:01 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30&article_id=187 November 2007 Newsletter Dear friends, it's hard to believe that November has marked seven months that we have been in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. We are acclimating ourselves to the people and the culture of Zimbabwe. At times the learning has been hard for us. In many areas their concept of right and wrong is not the same as we have spent our lives believing. Sometimes we can see things so clearly and they just do not comprehend our thought processes. An example: as they are driving to work they will stop and fill their vehicles with people who are going the same way that the driver is. The driver will charge each one of them for the ride. I have used this as an illustration when I preached. I said why would you charge someone for a lift into town when you are going that way yourself? Are you not taking advantage of your brother? I have also asked why would a person purchase something in bulk and go onto the black market and raise the price 500% for re-sale. I have shown them that this is wrong. This is only one of the issues that we are confronting here. My fear is that once the economy turns around is that all this greed is so embedded in their hearts & minds that they will not stop. It is hard to say no to a need someone has because they look at us as white, therefore rich. By the end of this week Verna will have held her second meeting with the Strategy 1-12 pastors wives. This has been received well. This month found us in four different churches. Ø I finished my four week series on Stewardship at Nketa 7 churchØ I preached at brother Innocent's churchØ I preached at brother Shadrack's churchØ We worshiped at brother Abednego's church. This coming Sunday we will be back at Nketa 7 church where I will preach again. God is opening up new ministry opportunities for us.Ø We are looking at a ministry to 20 plus street boys who are living close to us in a home. None of them know English. What a great way to bathe them in the word of God.Ø We are sponsoring a young lady for this upcoming school year. Her alcoholic father would not pay for her schooling last year.Ø We are seeking Gods will in helping one of our pastor's wives who is feeding and teaching at least 3 orphans who cannot afford school tuition.Ø We are looking at becoming involved in our second Bible study each week.Ø We are prayerfully going to assist a young man Tandega in an AWANA program at Nketa 7 church.Ø God allowed us to purchase all the startup materials to get this program going. Ø We continue to help our pastor's families with food as the Lord allows. The lack of food continues to be a problem here. Because of the lack of electricity whole areas around us are being stripped bare of trees. In most locations anything larger than a pencil in diameter has been taken for cooking. The government is very concerned about de-forestation in Zimbabwe. From what I am seeing they have every right to be. As garbage pick-ups have been suspended. The trash in some places is building up. Disease such as cholera has been reported in Bulawayo. As the water situation worsens, Bulawayo is having many new stomach related illnesses being reported. The city is running out of medicines to treat the sick. In spite of all these adversities people are seeking God and being optimistic about their problems. They are open to hearing his word proclaimed . Thank each of you for lifting us up in prayer. We are nothing more than an extension of you. Prayer requests:Please continue to pray for our missionary friend Quinn Morgan who is in South Africa for treatment for a severely infected eye.Pray for Caroline and her parents. All of the doctors agree that she has cancer in her arm. Her parents have to make the decision as to whether to let them take her arm off or not. It seems to be spreading.Pray for one of our pastors wives. She could have the beginnings of cervical cancer.Pray for Verna. She has been having bad nosebleeds. We think this is due to the low humidity.Pray for the rains to continue. Bulawayo is getting ready to de-commission one or its last two dams that supply it with water.Pray for wisdom as we consider new ministry opportunities.Pray for pastor Mundenda as he will be going to South Africa for their Reap conference and has a heavy preaching schedule.Pray for us as we go back to immigration this Friday to re-new our visas for 2 more months. They could decide not to re-new them at any time.Pray as we are exploring the possibility of purchasing a used vehicle from Japan. Praise Items The electric shortages seem to be lessening up. We have had power for 5 days with no interruption.I have been 55 days without having to take an injection for pain.Our home church, Heritage had a wonderful mission's conference.The good health of our families back home. Wed, 5 Nov 2008 13:16:24 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=17 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=17&article_id=214 At Heritage Baptist Church we view the preaching of God's Holy Word as one of the premiere aspects of our worship before our God. We love preaching! We love to hear preaching. After all, our Lord Jesus calls himself the Word of God. He is the Word who came in the flesh, so the Word is precious to us. In Hebrews 1:2, we read that "in these last days (God) hath spoken unto us by his Son." In other words, Almighty God has spoken to us through God the Son, Jesus Christ. He then, in turn, recorded His communication in the Holy Bible. When we meet for worship, we expect our God to speak to us. We anticipate Him communicating His message for the day to our hearts through His chosen mouth piece for the day. This attitude of expectation was beautifully communicated in Acts 10:33. It says, "Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God." To this end, we offer two avenues for you to listen to the Word of God taught and preached at Heritage. You can click on ARCHIVED MESSAGES to hear recent messages preached in the pulpit of Hertiage or click on STREAMED LIVE to hear messages being preached live during our service times. We trust you will be blessed through the preaching of God's Holy Word. Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:03:30 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=18 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=18&article_id=213 document.write(''); Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:36:32 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35&article_id=207 Reformers Unanimous International (RUI) is a discipleship ministry for those in the bondage of any kind of addictive behavior. Reformers Unanimous (RU) is the fastest growing and largest faith-based addiction program in the nation. RU is a tool which the Heritage family uses to make contact with men and women who openly admit their need of spiritual help. We then take that opportunity to invest in the evangelism, equipping and discipleship of these indiviuduals and families. Reformers meets every Friday night of the year at 7:00p.m. as Heritage families invest in the lives of others. We praise the Lord that nationwide, 84% of all those who complete the self-paced RU discipleship curriculum (in chapters just like ours) never return to their addiction again. You can learn more about RUI at www.reformu.com. Please pray for our RU ministry Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:40:53 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=32 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=32&article_id=183 February 26th, 2008 Sderot is a Jewish town that is within a kilometer of the Gaza strip. As a result, they get missile attacks daily and this has gone on literally for years. Here is an excerpt from the Daily Mail in the UK (published February 25th) telling of what it is like living under these conditions: My guide in Sderot takes me through the local ground rules: 1. I am not to fasten my seat belt. Buckling up prevents drivers and their passengers getting out of a vehicle quickly. 2. I am not to play my car radio. It may drown out the warnings. 3. I am not to have a shower if there is nobody else in the house to hear the alarms. 4. I am to be extra vigilant when it’s foggy. It can confuse the laser-activated warning systems. And suddenly it comes, a noise like the slamming of a heavy door as a six-foot-long Kassam rocket bursts into the cloudless blue sky, its trajectory marked by a trail of white smoke as it curves towards the town. Almost simultaneously, sirens begin to wail. A woman ’s urgent voice repeats the words “Red Alert” over public address loudspeakers. For the next 72-hours “Red Alerts” will sound almost continuously as Islamic militant groups in Gaza rained more than 100 rockets on the town during a terrifying three-day attack. January 7th, 2008 Police gear up to stop rabbis from praying on Temple Mount Jerusalem police are preparing to prevent religious Zionist and settler rabbis from holding prayers on the Temple Mount Tuesday morning. The rabbis used posters to exhort supporters to pray at the mount "for the annulment of the wicked plans for the division of Jerusalem and the surrender and abandonment of the Temple Mount to the hands of foreigners and adversaries." The planned protest comes shortly after Public Security Minister Avi Dichter made it clear that Jews are not allowed to pray in any overt manner on the Temple Mount, even including merely moving their lips in prayer. The rabbis are expected to be allowed entry to the Temple Mount as long as they do not pray there. (Haaretz, January 7th, 2008) December 3, 2007 U.S. Kids to Promote Israel's 60th Birthday American children are invited to help promote Israel's 60th anniversary. The Israel Ministry of Tourism is asking kids to design an image for a postcard to invite people to visit the country during its 60th birthday-year. The winning entry will be made into a postcard that will be distributed throughout the United States. The winner and three runners-up will receive a prize package of products from Israel. The contest is open to students in grades 4 through 7. (JTA November 29th) PA Police Kill Protester Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets in the West Bank and Gaza Tuesday (27th) to express their opposition to the U.S.-sponsored Mid East conference in Annapolis. Demonstrations in Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, and Tulkarm were organized by Hamas and the radical Islamic group Hizb-al-Tahrir. Hisham al-Baradi, 37, was killed in Hebron and dozens were injured during clashes between the demonstrators and security forces loyal to Mahmoud Abbas. Several journalists covering the protests were beaten by PA policemen. Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar told demonstrators in Gaza City that any Palestinian who gives up one inch of the land of Palestine would be tried as a traitor. "Palestine, from the sea to the river, is all Muslim-owned," he said. "The right of return to Haifa, Jaffa, and Jerusalem is non-negotiable." Nabil Amr, a top advisor to Mahmoud Abbas, said that any agreement reached with Israel would be presented to the Palestinians through a referendum. "Palestinians living outside the West bank and Gaza Strip will also have the right to vote," he said. (Jerusalem Post, November 29th) November 30, 2007 The article below is from an anti-missionary perspective. While we do not know the people that were passing out literature and New Testaments in Sderot (and we do not know what they said or did not say) we can certainly see the hatred these anti-missionary groups have toward Christians. As you read the article, pay attention to such descriptive terms as "soul hunters", "dubious missionary literature", "false promises", "that man" (referring to Jesus, whose name they are reluctant to even pronounce), "vicious", "prey", "sinister hunt", "scheme" and the tone of the article in general. Yad L'Achim is an anti-missionary, ultra orthodox group in Israel that opposes Christian activity in the land of Israel. Anti-missionary Activity Mishpaha, November 15; HaModia, November 16; HaZofeh, November 23, 2007 In the midst of the kassam rockets which have been bombarding the town of Sderot for the past several years, Mishpaha (November 15) reported this week that the town has also recently been barraged by missionary activity. "The missionaries weren't satisfied with distributing literature in bustling locations but went from door to door in numerous neighborhoods giving out copies of the 'New Testament' printed in a special edition for the citizens of Sderot, with a thick cover and gold-edged pages, and informing people that the books would serve as an 'amulet' to keep the citizens safe against the kassams ... Their purpose was to frighten the citizens and disseminate amongst them dubious missionary literature and to make them false promises conditional on their walking in the way of that man." When Yad L'Achim was informed of the situation, the organization immediately sent workers to the city "to counter-balance the soul hunters." A similar report in HaModia (November 16) added that the Yad L'Achim workers identified the leaflets as being written by the "infamous missionary Ya'akov Damkani." In their effort to warn Sderot's residents, they "clarified to them the true identity behind the amiable and friendly appearance of the missionaries." Yad L'Achim's director stated in regard to the events: "The recent missionary activity in Sderot proves how vicious the missionaries can be, even in the face of the citizens of a town who are suffering daily from the growing fear of the unceasing flood of kassams. They perceive them as prey for their sinister hunt and scheme to convert them. It is known that members of Yad L'Achim are about to lay their hands on the precise address from which the missionaries are coming in order to be able to stop their activity by legal means." The piece in HaZofeh (November 23), which ran the same story, printed it with the headline "Missionaries promised to residents: 'The New Testament' will protect you against the kassams." November 14, 2007 Pastor flees PA after threats on his life With the dirt still fresh over the coffin of a Palestinian martyr in Gaza, another evangelical pastor in Palestinian territories fears he may be the next target of persecution against Christians and is taking no chances. Isa Bajalia, who is a pastor in Ramallah, fled to Jerusalem after receiving several threats against his life and was refused protection by Palestinian officials. These latest threats underscore the growing violence against Christians, particularly evangelical Christians, in Palestinian territories. Less than a month ago a Palestinian Bible Society worker in Gaza, Rami Ayyad, was kidnapped and killed. “I was told the same things that happened to Rami would happen to me,” Bajalia recounted. “They said we can catch you in the U.S. – we are going to break your arms and legs. Beyond the fact that you can’t see well, you are also not going to walk. Just like Hamas did to Fatah, we’re going to shoot you in your knee caps,” he remembered them saying. (Israel Today, 11/12) article taken from the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry website at www.foi.org. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:44:21 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34&article_id=205 Patterson, Mike & Becky- President and General Director of Mount Abarim Mission International. Their mission is to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Church planting is the focus and they use tools to accomplish this task by sponsoring the following: Childrens’ Homes, Christian Schools, Bible Colleges and Institutes, Bible Translation and publication, Christian Radio, Hispanic church planting in the United States and offices on four continents serving their ever growing missionary family. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:13:24 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30&article_id=164 Bob & Verna McGlothlin are serving the Heritage Baptist Church in the city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe teaching and training pastors and their wives in and around Bulawayo. Also having the opportunity to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in churches to those who hunger for truth. And teaching those around them, by example, what it means to be a servant. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:11:12 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29&article_id=165 Dear Friend, Prayer is the most important aspect of any world mission endeavor. Without your prayers, our part of the great commission can not succeed. With proper prayer, no mission will fail. Advancement in global evangelism will not be obtained by increasing the number of missionaries sent, encouragement letters, or even dollars given with out by urgent fervent prayer. Heritage's global vision for world evangelism will succeed or fail based on our commitment to the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Prayer is a tangible yard stick for, and our purest expression of, that commitment. This prayer guide is designed to be a tool to motivate, encourage, and inform you as you pray for the global mission efforts of the Heritage Baptist Church. Allow this guide to stir your heart, inform you, and to move you to your knees in urgent, fervent prayer. This guide also will inform you of strategic components of Heritage's world mission's vision. Please use this information to direct you into discovering, and fulfilling your roll in reaching the ends of the earth with the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ as a part of the local body to which you have been called. Thank you for your continued devotion and commitment to praying for world missions. Your Servant Brent McKinney email to:milkandeggs@juno.com Minister of Missions Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:09:16 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=31&article_id=185 This section is a "work in progress". Please check back soon to read important information about the people and land of Israel. Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:37:31 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30&article_id=177 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:47:15 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=3&article_id=16 ARTICLE 2 - STATEMENT OF FAITH The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the foregoing Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible, and therefore, is binding upon all members. All literature used in the church shall be in complete agreement with the Statement of Faith. This is “what we believe,” and therefore, “what we teach.” A “Bible-believing Baptist” is one who believes in a supernatural Bible, which tells of a supernatural Christ, Who had a supernatural birth, Who spoke supernatural words, Who performed supernatural miracles, Who lived a supernatural life, Who died a supernatural death, Who rose in supernatural splendor, Who intercedes as a supernatural priest, and Who will one day return in supernatural glory to establish a supernatural Kingdom on the earth. The following comprise the Scriptural beliefs of this church and its members. For more information on these sections, please feel free to request taped and written resources from the pastor. SECTION 2.01 – Creation. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, and all things therein, from nothing in six literal days. We believe in a young earth as clearly established in Scripture. We also believe that evolutionary theory has far less historical, scientific, and logical merit than the scriptural truth of creation. (Gen 1:1; 2:2; Ex. 20:11; Jn. 1:3; Col 1:16-17; Heb 11:3; Rev. 14:7) Section 2.02 - The Holy Scriptures. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary (full or complete) inspired Word of God. The Scriptures are inerrant (flawless), infallible, and God-breathed; and therefore, are the final revelation and authority for faith and life until the end of the age. The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the complete and divine revelation of God to Man--the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. We interpret the Scriptures according to their normal grammatical-historical meaning, and the body of elders determine all issues of interpretation and meaning. (Ps. 19:7-11; 119:89, 105, 160; Prov. 30:5-6; Is. 8:20; Lk. 16:31; 24:25-27, 44-45; Jn. 5:39, 45-47; 12:48; 17:17; Acts 1:16; 28:25; Eph. 6:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Ptr. 1:20-21; Rev. 22:19.) Therefore, believing that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and the sole authority for faith and practice, we will use it in: Maintaining regular worship services Preaching and teaching the Gospel privately and publicly in urging all to receive Christ Promoting and providing systematic Bible study and training for Christian service/soul winning. For the purposes of Biblical accuracy, doctrinal purity and unity in readings and teachings, the King James Version of the Bible shall be the official and only translation used by the church in public worship and ministry. Dispensationalism – We believe that the Scriptures, interpreted in their natural and literal sense, reveal divinely determined dispensations or rules of life which defines man’s responsibilities in successive ages. These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs mankind according to His purpose. The three main dispensations are the age of law, the age of the Church, and the age of the Millennial Kingdom. This belief has been abused in our day. The dispensations of our God are revealed in Scripture to enhance our application of the entirety of the Word of God. They are not license to ignore or undermine major portions of Scripture. (Gen. 1:28; Ex.; Lk. 1:32; 16:16; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Cor. 3:9-18; Gal. 3:13-25; Eph. 1:10; 3:2-10; Col. 1:24-27; Rev. 20:2-6) SECTION 2.03 – The Godhead. We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. We believe that He is the one and only living, true God, an infinite Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. (Gen. 17:1; Ex. 15:11; Dt. 6:4; Ps. 83:18; 90:2; Jer. 10:10; Mt. 28:19; Mk. 12:30; Jn. 4: 10-12; 24; 10:30; 15:26; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 11:33; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; 8:6; 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 2:18; 4:6; Phil. 2:5-11; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 Jn. 5:7; Rev. 4:11) SECTION 2.04 - The Person and Work of Christ Virgin Birth. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, to reveal God and redeem sinful men. (Is. 7:14; 9:6; Lk. 1:35; Jn. 1:1-2, 14; 2 Cor. 5:19-21; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil. 2:5-8) Redemption. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious (performed in place of), substitutionary sacrifice; and, that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead. (Acts 2:18-36; Rom. 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; 2:24) Ascension. We believe that Jesus ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate. (Matt. 28:6,7; Lk. 24:2-6, 39, 51; Jn. 20:27; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 8:34; 1 Cor. 15:4; Heb. 2:17; 5:9-10; 8:6; 9:24; 7:25; 1 Jn. 2:1-2; Rev. 3:21) SECTION 2.05 - The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and, that He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. We teach that baptism and indwelling take place at conversion—a one-time, permanent work of God by grace. Filling is a continual way of life. Total emptiness of self, makes way for Spirit filling. As we seek to please self, or sin against God in any way, we fail to live in the filling that is available to us. Filling is then obtained through genuine confession and repentance. (Gen. 1:1-3; Mt. 3:11; 28:19; Mk. 1:8; Lk. 1:35; 3:16; 24:29; Jn. 1:33; 3:5-6; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:8-11, 13; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16 ; Rom. 8:9, 14, 16, 26-27; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 3:6; Eph. 1:13-14; 2 Thes. 2:7, 13; Heb 9:14; 1 Pet. 1:2) We believe that He is the Divine Teacher who assists believers in understanding (illumination), and appropriating the Scriptures (empowerment) and that the saved are privileged to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 1:17-18; 5:18; 1 Jn. 2:20, 27) We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer. God uniquely uses evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip believers in the assembly that they can do the work of the ministry. (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 13, 28;Eph. 4:7-12) We believe that the “sign gifts” of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary. Speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit. God clearly chooses to supernaturally heal today. We believe in supernatural healing and pray accordingly, but the decision to heal is His alone. Although God commonly chooses to do His healing through the prayers of others, this is not an indication of an active and consistent spiritual gift. (1 Cor. 1:22; 13:8; 14:21-22) [For further information see the HBC brochure entitled 26 ROLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.] SECTION 2.06 – The Personality of Satan. We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin, and the cause of the fall; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and mankind; and that, he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire/hell. He was created as an angel by God but through pride and rebellion was cast out of the presence of God and is the ruler of this present age and all powers of darkness. (Gen. 3:4-7; Job 1:6-12; Is. 14:12-17; Mt. 4:1-11; 25:41; Rev. 20:10; 21:8) SECTION 2.07 - The Total Depravity of Man. We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam’s voluntary sin, he fell from his sinless state. All humanity has therefore inherited a sinful nature, and has become alienated from God. We are all sinners in nature and conduct, and thus, are under the just condemnation of a Holy God and are without excuse. Man is totally depraved and, of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition. (Gen. 1:26-27; 3:1-6; Rom. 1:18, 32; 3:22-23; 5:12; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3; 4:17-19) SECTION 2.08 - The Eternal State. We believe in the bodily resurrection, judgment and eternal life of all mankind. The redeemed spend eternity in the presence of God in a real place called heaven. At the moment of physical death, the redeemed are absent from the body and present with the Lord in a glorified, reunited body, soul, and spirit. The souls of the lost remain, after death, in hell until the second resurrection, when the soul and body are reunited and shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to suffer everlasting conscious punishment. (Lk. 16:19-31; Jn. 10:28; 1 Cor. 15:42-44; 51-54; 2 Cor. 5:6-8; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thes. 4:13; 5:23; Rev. 20:13) SECTION 2.09 - Salvation. We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose precious blood was shed on Calvary,as a voluntary substitution for the forgiveness of our sins and that of the entire world. We believe that all sins, except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, are forgivable. Salvation is of God, and by God alone, and not by any works of our own righteousness, religious work, devotion, sacrament, or affliction. Christ’s redemptive work is totally complete and available to all. We cannot come to Christ without the drawing of the Spirit, and we must choose to receive Christ. Salvation is an instantaneous work. To be saved one must be born again – made a new creature in Christ Jesus. To receive Christ we must repent-–turn our life completely away from sin. The Holy Spirit comes to indwell our soul once we have surrendered completely to Him. This baptism of the Holy Spirit, upon conversion, grants us full access to the throne of grace and power of God. A genuine believer will bear fruit and grow in Christ. (Mt. 12:31-32; Jn. 1:12; 3:3, 8; Acts 16:30-33; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 1:7; 2:1, 8-10; Col. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 2 Ptr. 1:4; Tit. 3:5) SECTION 2.10 – Justification. We believe that justification is that judicial act of God whereby he declares the believer righteous upon the basis of the imputed righteousness of Christ. We believe justification is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s shed blood. (Rom. 3:24; 4:5; 5:1, 9; Eph. 2:8,9; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9) SECTION 2.11 – Sanctification. We believe that sanctification is the divine setting apart of the believer unto God. Upon genuine conversion, the believer is sanctified, in that he is set apart to God. The believer has full access to the power, holiness and grace of God. As the believer appropriates the grace available to him, he grows in purity and holiness. Sanctification is therefore, immediate in access and a process in application. (Jn. 17:17; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 5:25-27; 1 Thes. 4:3, 4; 5:23, 24; Heb. 3:1; 10:10-14; 1 Jn. 3:2; Jude 24, 25; Rev. 22:11) SECTION 2.12 - The Eternal Security and Assurance of Believers We believe that all the redeemed, once genuinely and supernaturally saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. However, we also believe that the church today, in large part, has lost a Biblical understanding of what God requires to receive the free gift of salvation. In light of this, we believe that much of the contemporary church is apostate and that large numbers of professing believers are truly lost and without hope. In response, we commit ourselves to knowing, receiving, living, and preaching the true gospel, absolute surrender to Christ, and complete identification with Him in position and practice. (Jn. 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1; 38-39; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:4-5) Believers should rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word as it validates the reality of genuine conversion in daily life, as well as the witness of the Holy Spirit. The Bible clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh. (Rom. 13:13-14; Phil. 1:6; Gal. 5:13; Tit. 2:11-15; Jude 1) SECTION 2.13 - The Church We believe that the Church, which is the body and the espoused Bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism entirely made up of redeemed persons of all ages. We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. We believe in the autonomy of the local church, free of any external authority or control. God has established His Church and nothing will ever prevail against it. It is built by Christ upon the foundation of genuine faith in Him. Our church is a local assembly of the Church, the family of God. God’s true Church, His remnant, will always exist in the form of local churches, regardless of cultural trends. We believe that God has called elders to shepherd and deacons to serve our fellowship. We believe in the authority of God’s called leaders and God’s leadership through them. In obedience to the clear commands of Christ, our church does not partner with, or associate with, churches or ministries that do not adhere to the truth of God’s Word. (Mt. 16:18; Rom. 11:5; 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 5:23) We believe in church membership as more than an organizational tool. In the pattern of the first century church, only baptized, converted believers comprise our membership. This membership represents a genuine covenant. We expect our members to solemnly determine God’s call on their life regarding where they will serve in the church of God. Members submit themselves to the authority of this church as outlined in this constitution. The church, in turn, responds in like covenant to serve, guide, protect, and minister to the members. (See Articles 3 & 5 for more details.) SECTION 2.14 - The Priesthood of Every Believer. We believe that every converted believer in the Lord Jesus is a saint and priest with full access to the throne of grace and equal footing at the cross. (Rom. 5:1-5; 1Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:21-28) SECTION 2.15 – Ordinances. We do not believe in sacraments, in that these are typically viewed as vehicles of God’s grace. Ordinances are not a liturgical practice to receive divine blessing of God but rather an act of worship and obedience by those who have already received everything from God. Ordinances are symbols--outward representations of an inward reality. We believe that the Biblical order of the ordinances is Baptism and then the Lord’s Table. Baptism. We believe that baptism is the single and total immersion of believers in water to solemnly show forth a beautiful emblem of identification with the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, through Whom we die to sin and rise to walk in newness of life. We believe that baptism must be performed under the authority of the local church and is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership. Baptism is not an agent of grace or step of salvation, but rather an outward sign of the inward miracle of conversion, a clear and radical public profession of faith and permanent life change. (Matt. 3:16; 28:18-20; Jn. 3:23; Acts. 2:41; 8:36, 39; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12) The Lord’s Table. We believe the Lord’s Supper is the commemoration of His death until He come and should always be preceded by solemn self examination. Participants of the Lord’s Supper should be baptized believers. We believe the Scriptures allow variance in the frequency of celebrating the Lord’s Table. Our goal is to celebrate this ordinance at least once every four to eight weeks. (Matt. 6:25; 26:26-28; 28:18-20; Mk. 14:22-25; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-28) SECTION 2.16 - The Second Coming of Christ. We believe in that “blessed hope”, the personal, imminent, pre-tribulation and pre-millennial coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His redeemed ones, and in His subsequent return to earth with His saints to establish His millennial kingdom. At His return, those dead in Christ shall be raised in glorious bodies, and those alive in Christ shall be given glorified bodies without tasting death. All shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the seven years of Tribulation. We believe that the Tribulation will be culminated by the revelation of Christ in power and great glory to sit upon the throne of David. (Ps. 89:3-4; Dan. 2:31-45; Zech. 14:4-11; Acts 1:9-11; Rom. 5:9; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Thes. 1:10, 4:13-16; Tit. 2:13; Rev. 3:10; 19:11-16; 20:1-6) Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:22:57 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29&article_id=163 Our church family is passionately involved in world evangelization. Because of this, we partner with missionary servants around the world. They support us in our strategy to obey God in making disciples throughout the earth. Our church family is involved in missions praying, encouraging, and giving. It is our desire to raise up missionaries from our own church body. Tue, 6 Feb 2007 18:10:45 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=25 Consumer Christianity Part II By T.A. McMahon Consumerism was introduced to humanity in the Garden of Eden. Satan had a self-serving concept that he wanted to sell to a potential customer who had no need-one who, living in a perfect environment, had it all, materially and spiritually. His strategy (comparable to the prevailing methods of 21st-century marketing) was to create a desire where no real need existed, convincing Eve not only that she needed something more but that what she had was somewhat deficient. Moreover, in an effort to beat the Competition, Satan began his pitch by sowing doubt regarding God's command and its resulting penalty for disobedience. By calling God a liar, the adversary no doubt rattled Eve's trust in Him: "And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?...And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die." Then in the wake of further maligning the Lord's character, came the irresistible "do it for you" sales pitch: "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:1, 4-5). Consumerism, being all about profit, must include a profit-oriented buyer as well as seller. Eve certainly had her own desires stirred, for without them, no sale could have been made: "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit hereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat" (Genesis 3:6). Thus, the cry of the soul of consumerism, "How will it profit me?" birthed itself in Adam and Eve and all their descendants. Consumer Christianity is a mentality or methodology that attempts to enrich Christians both temporally and spiritually, as well as to attract converts to the faith, through ways and means that are true neither to the Word of God nor the work of the Holy Spirit. Whether introduced subtly or overtly, wittingly or unwittingly, it always involves what appeals to humanity's fallen nature. Furthermore, consumer Christianity ultimately indulges and glorifies self rather than God. History is replete with instances of man's consumerism and selfism. Let's briefly survey the history of God's chosen people, the Jews (Deuteronomy 14:2), and His church (Titus 2:14), for a few such examples by those who should have known better. Sarai, Abram's wife, attempted to solve her childless circumstance by coming up with her own way to have the son that God had promised (Genesis 16:2-3); "her" child Ishmael by her servant Hagar became the son of grief for the Jews to this day. Centuries later, right after Israelites had experienced God's deliverance from the Egyptians in spectacular ways, they nevertheless formed a golden calf to worship in order to gratify their immediate spiritual desires. God's response to Moses was that they had thereby "corrupted themselves" (Exodus 32:4-7). Joshua was deceived and made peace with the Gibeonites, contrary to God's command; his presumption of doing good for his people was in reality rank disobedience: "And the [Israelites] took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord" (Joshua 9:14). The entire book of Judges characterizes God's people during that time period as having a consumer mentality: "...every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). Later, David's "eyes" for Bathsheba led him to satisfy his lustful felt needs in spite of what it would do to his personal relationship with God. The New Testament gospels and epistles abound with examples of consumer "Christianity." Peter's objection to what Jesus said He would have to suffer for our salvation demonstrated more than just fleshly sympathy; Jesus intimated that it was disobedience of a satanic nature (Matthew 16:21-23). Furthermore, Christ's response to Peter defines what consumer Christianity is all about: "for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Our Lord's other disciples were also given to the "what-could-best-benefit-me" mentality. Blinded by self-interest to what Jesus told them of His impending suffering and death, James and John reacted by seeking an elevated position in His coming kingdom: "Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory" (Mark 10:37). The Apostle Paul rebuked Peter, who, along with Barnabas, drew back from the Gentiles in order to accommodate those of the circumcision (Galatians 2:11-14). Paul identified his own struggles, as well as ours, with putting self before God: "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do" (Romans 7:18-19). He then declared his solution, which is the believer's only solution: the Spirit-led life in Christ (Romans 8:1). Consumer Christianity, whether manifested in the early churches or in today's assemblies (from mega-churches to home fellowships), is simply doing things man's way rather than God's way. The history of the church from the first century on is a distressing chronicle of true and false Christians deviating from the Word of God, doing what seemed right in their own minds while professing to be doing it in the name of Christ and to His glory. Although the results have often been spiritually devastating, God has been faithful, merciful, and longsuffering with His own. As we draw near to the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, however, consumer Christianity will so transform the professing church that it be shocking to any true believer unless, of course, he or she has been desensitized by the gradual acceptance of many of the appealing "new products and processes" (i.e., unbiblical teachings, practices, and worship forms) being "sold" today. Following the Rapture of the Bride of Christ to be with Him (I Thessalonians 4:16-18), a professing Christian church will remain that has been groomed to accept the Antichrist. This apostate church does not just appear overnight, but its preparation has been ongoing for two millennia and will increase with great intensity up until the Rapture of truly born-again Christians. The deception at that time will be like nothing humanity has ever experienced, including Hitler's seduction of, and absolute control over, civilized, highly educated, and technologically sophisticated Germany. What will be the major difference? This deception will be worldwide and, more astonishingly, facilitated by God himself. After giving information about the coming apostasy and the Antichrist, "whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders," the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, further explains why the deception will be so pervasive and powerful: "...because they received not the love of the truth." He then gives us reason to be astonished: "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie" (II Thessalonians 2:9-11). This "strong delusion" affecting the lost is comparable to the hardening of Pharoah's heart. It neither induced sin nor subjugated Pharoah's will; yet it allowed circumstances to develop that his wicked heart could not resist. There is no reason to assume that only "them that perish" (verse 10) will be caught up in the Last Day's delusion. As we've noted from the Scriptures, many of the heroes and heroines of the faith at times opted for their own ways rather than God's way. They let their own desires override God's only antidote for spiritual delusion: a love for the truth. As it was then, so it is even more today, as the apostasy gathers unprecedented momentum. In the third chapter of Second Timothy, Paul speaks prophetically, identifying some of the characteristics that we need to urgently heed concerning the end-times deception: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof....never able to come to the knowledge of the truth...[A[s Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth" (II Timothy 2:1-8). Let's consider these things in light of what is taking place in evangelical churches today. Humanistic psychology, with its emphasis on self-love and its brood of other selfisms, has become an accepted and promoted doctrine among pastoral counselors and "Christians" psychologists. Prosperity evangelists have turned covetousness into God's foremost commandment for millions of professing Christians. Seeker-friendly churches are working at filling their pews with lovers of pleasure while discouraging (and in many cases dismissing) lovers of God. Purpose-driven churches are marketing formulas of godliness in place of the power and leading of the Holy Spirit. The growing adulteration of God's Holy Scriptures in the form of subjective paraphrase and visual "translations" is creating both a resistance to the truth and an anemia regarding spiritual discernment. Finally, regarding the ingredients of apostasy, the magicians "wowed" those crowding Pharoah's court with their pagan showmanship, mystical presence, and counterfeit signs and wonders (Exodus 7:11-12). So, too, are we seeing entertainment, experientialism, and contemplative (Catholic) mysticism seducing multitudes of churches that formerly majored in preaching, teaching, and sound doctrine. Has "strong delusion" made inroads into the evangelical church? If you don't think so, you may have difficulty finding another explanation for the following agenda and participation at the 2004 National Pastors' Convention. This event, sponsored by Youth Specialties (America's most influential evangelical organization for youth pastors and leaders) and Zondervan (publisher of The Purpose-Driven Life, the NIV-Message Parallel Bible, and evangelical distribution for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ DVD) began its daily program with contemplative prayer and "Yoga & Stretching" exercises. Emerging church liturgies based upon Roman Catholic and Orthodox rituals and sacramentals were introduced, including daily "labyrinth prayer" opportunities. The latter is a meditative prayer walk around a circular, maze-like pattern copied from a floor design found in Chartres Cathedral. This mystical Catholical ritual dates back to the Middle Ages, when it became a substitute for journeying to the dangerous, Muslim-controlled Holy Land in order to trace the "Passion route" of Jesus. As Catholics walked the labyrinth and meditated on the sufferings of Christ in their imagination, they obtained the same indulgences (pardons that would shorten their time in Purgatory to expiate their sins) for making the actual pilgrimage. The Convention's evening programs included Christian comedy acts, The Jesus Painter (who "paints portraits of Christ in under 20 minutes"), "Tribe Church Drumming Experience," "Personal Emotional Health Discussion," an "emergent Pub with Live Music," and "Late Night Contemplative Prayer Services." The greater percentage of speakers were practitioners of mystical Christian prayer and worship forms (referred to as "authentic faith"), and the rest appeared to be advocates of, or at least encouragers for, the development of new methodologies and liturgies for the emerging culture of the 21st century. One topic was title "A New Theology for a New World." The double-location conference attracted thousands and featured many influential church leaders, including Gordon MacDonald, Henry Cloud, Brennan Manning, Dallas Willard, Joseph Stowell, Howard Hendricks, Gary Thomas, Tony Campolo, and Rick Warren. The 2005 convention promises to be more of the same, with Christian contemplative, experiential, and emerging church headliners such as Richard Foster, Calvin Miller, Philip Yancy, Ruth Haley Barton, Doug Pagitt, and Dan Kimball. Most of Christianity, according to the Scriptures, will progress into an apostate church as the return of the Lord draws near. Jesus said to His disciples, "It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!" (Luke 17:1) He later posed this question: "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8) The implied answer is no. How could this happen? The essential "love of the truth" is being extinguished by "all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (I John 2:16). The professing church, consisting of true and false believers, increasingly turns to the world's ways-its hedonistic philosophy, its evolutionary pseudoscience, its self-oriented psychology, its consumer-driven business methodologies, its religious ecumenism, and its pagan spirituality. Ironically, some have turned to these things in sincerity as a means of enriching and spreading "Christianity." Nevertheless, the result is consumer Christianity in any and all of its self-serving forms, when "every man [does] that which [is] right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6). As for the signs that would adversely affect the generation at His Coming, Jesus warned that His disciples should "take heed that no man deceive" them (Matthew 24:4). If we are not the generation that is living in the time of "strong delusion" in preparation for that day, how much worse can it get? Pray that His Body of believers will increase in their love for His way, His Word, and His truth. Sun, 29 Oct 2006 05:01:14 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=26 The Kundalini Connection: Evangelicals Embrace Energy of the Serpent -Excerpts from the new book Yoga and the Body of Christ by Dave Hunt There is mounting controversy among Westerners involved in yoga as to how to practice it and the purpose behind it. Is it purely physical, or is something more involved-something spiritual? There are many proponents on both sides of this discussion. Much of the public, however, is not even aware of the issue. Nor can most of the disputants even agree to what is meant by "spiritual." Clearly something nonphysical is involved. But what is it? What is this "energy" to which Ken Harakuma (and others) are referring? Is this the ki, or chi, of martial arts, which has no physical explanation and clearly comes from the spirit world? Yet in spite of warnings backed with factual data about its dangers-and that it can even open the door to the occult-yoga continues to grow in popularity everywhere. What is behind the accelerating worldwide interest in yoga? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That non-Christians are engaging in yoga is not surprising. After all, it is being promoted in the West as purely physical stretching and breathing exercises beneficial for one's health-even as a cure for cancer, with testimonials that supposedly back up that claim. That Christians, however, who say they follow Christ and His Word, would also jump on the bandwagon of Eastern mysticism is staggering. Yoga was developed to escape this "unreal" world of time and sense and to reach moksha, the Hindu heaven-or to return to the "void" of the Buddhist. With its breathing exercises and limbering-up positions, yoga is promoted in the West for enhancing health and better living-but in the far East, where it originated, it is understood to be a way of dying. Yogis claim to possess the ability to survive on almost no oxygen and to remain motionless for hours, free of the "illusion" of this life. The physical aspects of yoga, however, which attract many Westerners, were, in fact, originally developed and practiced for spiritual goals. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The call went out to Hindus and yoga enthusiasts, "The New Age movement...has accepted the great ideas of the East.... Let us invade the American Campuses armed with the vision of Vedanta." Few, if any, realized that the West had fallen victim to the largest and most successful missionary campaign in history. Missionary campaign? Most Westerners find it difficult to think of these smiling, bowing, obsequious, and supposedly broadminded yogis, swamis, and lamas as missionaries determined to spread their mystic gospel. It comes as a great surprise that the largest missionary organization in the world is not Christian but Hindu-India's Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). Of course, that's acceptable to the media and the world-it is only Christian missionaries who are held in contempt and maligned. Yes, Hindus have launched the largest missionary effort in history.... In January 1979, at the VHP-sponsored second "World Congress on Hinduism" in Allahabad, India, attended by about 60,000 delegates from around the world, a speaker declared, "Our mission in the West has been crowned with fantastic success. Hinduism is becoming the dominant world religion, and the end of Christianity has come near." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In a frank interview in Yoga Journal, Ken Wilbur, a yoga expert who is often called the "Einstein of consciousness," warns that Eastern meditation, no matter how carefully practiced, involves "a whole series of deaths and rebirths...some very rough and frightening times." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ David Pursglove, therapist and transpersonal counselor for decades, warns that those involved in Eastern meditation can encounter "Frightening ESP and other parapsychological occurrences...out-of-body experiences...[encounters] with death and subsequent rebirth...awakening of the serpent power (Kundalini)...violent shaking and twisting...." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Among the few who honestly warn the public is Dr. Walt Larimore. He explains, "Yoga has spiritual roots.... [Therefore] one could argue that promoting it in schools violates the...so-called separation of church and state...." He warns that the "deeply religious practice" of yoga, with its roots in Eastern mysticism, may put kids in a position to be influenced by elements that are not at all healthy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yoga opens the door not to true enlightenment but to demonic seduction of mankind. And in spite of the literally hundreds of exposes by those who have experienced the evil firsthand and barely escaped, yoga is gaining adherents among Christians and is being practiced in a growing number of churches, including those that claim to be evangelical. Christian leaders have naively encouraged this deadly practice. Robert Schuller was one of the first to give it his endorsement.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No matter what the various schools and forms of yoga being practiced in the West, however, there is no mistaking that if one is interested in true yoga, one must be willing to have that terrifying Kundalini aroused. What is this serpentine power that allegedly lies coiled at the base of the spine? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The texts by ancient yogis warn that the "Kundalini serpent force" often manifests itself in frightening and destructive ways. Unfortunately, those texts are scarcely known to yoga enthusiasts today and are certainly not heeded by their instructors. Kundalini is the "enlightenment" that the practice of yoga is designed to "awaken." One yoga enthusiast writes, "The cobra that opened its fan over Buddha's head is the metaphor for the field of energy, which...emits out from the head during and after sustaining Kundalini...." [Another] writes, "When the Kundalini awakens, tremendous power is unleashed. The resulting expansion of consciousness affects every element of our being, from our biological functions to our personal relationships to our concept of reality to our influence in the world.... Kundalini is Shakti, the Great Mother Goddess, the living energy that daily makes her vibrant presence known in my body and my psyche.... If Kundalini is to be invoked, it must be with care and better still, with reverence and humility. We are treading sacred waters here. To plunge in recklessly is to risk self-annihilation." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This entire discussion always brings us back to the most fundamental fact about yoga. No matter what physical benefit might be derived from the exercises themselves, yoga inevitably involves Eastern meditation. And Eastern meditation, unlike Western contemplation or reflection, accompanies an intentional dissociation from our conscious minds. This shutting down of the mind is, in fact, a total abdication of our God-given responsibility that Jesus declared is the first and great commandment: to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind (Deuteronomy 6:5-6, Matthew 22:37). Thus, we are violating one of the true God's most basic commandments every time we give our minds over to the intentional "nothingness" of yoga and associated "relaxation techniques." Sun, 29 Oct 2006 05:01:14 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=24 O, Jerusalem! by Dave Hunt Israel is the major topic of the Bible, occupying most of its pages. The many prophecies concerning its past, present, and future are vital in understanding God's Word. Sadly, they are ignored, explained away, or simply rejected by the vast majority of professing Christians, a growing number of whom insist that Israel has been replaced by the church. Yet Jeremiah declares that Israel will never "cease from being a nation" (Jeremiah 31:35-37); in just one sermon Paul refers to Israel as an ongoing entity three times (Acts 13:17, 23, 24); and on the twelve gates of heavenly Jerusalem are written the names of "the twelve tribes of the children of Israel" (Revelation 21:12)-so ten tribes were not lost after all!-along with the names of "the twelve apostles of the Lamb" in the foundations (21:14). Unaware that "replacement theology" is one of several Roman Catholic doctrines that clung to Luther, Calvin, and other leading reformers, it is accepted by many as Reformation theology. Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of all who believe on Him, is, of course, the most important subject in Scripture-yet without Israel, there would be no Savior. Jesus is a Jew, descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through King David, giving Him the right to rule Israel and the world. He was born in Israel, lived there all of His days on earth, and (with few exceptions) ministered solely to Jews: "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). He commanded His disciples, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles...but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:5-6). After the Cross and Resurrection, however, He commanded them to take the gospel "into all the world" (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15)-but the gospel remains "to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). Last month we saw that the incredible vastness of space makes it impossible for mankind to penetrate even the fringes of the cosmos either by vehicle or radio. How staggering, then, that the Creator has selected this tiny planet and one small city on it to be eternally the center of the universe. Bypassing thousands of larger cities with greater beauty and natural resources, God chose Jerusalem, saying, "I will put my name [there] for ever" (2 Kings 21:7; 2 Chronicles 33:7). God declared that in the last days He would cause Jerusalem to be "a burdensome stone for all people" (Zechariah 12:3). For that to become true, there had to be a worldwide organization. The United Nations was formed in 1945 in time to vote Israel back into existence after 1,800 years of destruction and dispersion. And Jerusalem has become such a burden that the UN has spent one-third of its time debating and condemning Israel, a miniscule nation that represents merely one one-thousandth of earth's population. Finally, World War III will be fought over Jerusalem as Antichrist's armies seek to frustrate God's plans for her and to accomplish at last Hitler's "final solution to the Jewish problem" with the destruction of Israel and all Jews worldwide. Twice in the Bible Jerusalem is called "the city of our God" (Psalm 48:1,8), twice the "city of God" (Psalm 46:4; 87:3), eight times "the holy city" (Nehemiah 11:1; Isaiah 48:2; 52:1; Matthew 4:5; etc.), and once "the city of the Lord of hosts" (Psalm 48:8). God has decreed that never will there be a city to rival Jerusalem! It is mentioned 811 times in the Bible but not once in the Qur'an, showing the lie that it ever was sacred to Muslims. Only after Israel's rebirth was this bogus claim invented to justify Muslim attacks against Israel as an "occupying power." The USA, UN, EU, et al., accept this lie as the basis of a "peace" they intend to force upon Israel with Muslim neighbors determined to destroy her. Jerusalem's entire history, including its destruction and ultimate restoration in the "last days," was pronounced by ancient Hebrew prophets and by Jesus Christ ("There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down"-Matthew 24:2; "the city shall be built...it shall not be...thrown down any more for ever"-Jeremiah 31:38-40). Still in process, in the face of fierce opposition from the world and Satan, the ongoing fulfillment of these prophecies (none of which could possibly apply to the church) is the greatest proof God gives of His existence and that the Bible is His infallible Word-a vital proof that replacement theology rejects. That Christians would deny God's purposes for Israel is beyond comprehension. Equally incredible, throughout history Israel herself has rejected God and the blessings He would impart. This rebellion has persisted in spite of spectacular displays of God's power and protection: the parting of the Red Sea, guidance by a pillar of fire by night and of cloud by day, water from a rock, fresh manna daily, hearing God speak with an audible voice, seeing the walls of Jericho come down, and the miraculous defeat of armies far superior to its own, etc. This inexcusable unbelief continues today on the part of most Jews worldwide, as well as in the church. The vast majority of Jews persist in rejecting Christ as their Messiah in spite of His fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies that prove His identity beyond dispute. As their own Hebrew prophets foretold, the Messiah has come and has been rejected by His people and the world. Moreover, they even join heretical replacement theologians in refusing to acknowledge God's hand in preserving the Jews as an identifiable ethnic people and bringing them back into their land after 2,500 years of dispersion. Nothing so exemplifies God's passionate desire to bless Israel, and her determined rejection of Him and the blessings He wants to bestow, as does Christ's anguished lament over Jerusalem. Viewing the city of God from the Mount of Olives, He wept over her: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!" (Luke 13:34). The New Testament records only one instance of Christ weeping over Jerusalem. How, then, could He claim to have wept over her countless times? Clearly, He was claiming to be the God of Israel, who sent His prophets repeatedly: "And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them...yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 25:3-7). As for replacement theology, yes, there are many similarities between Israel and the church: both are called God's "elect" (Isaiah 45:4; Matthew 24:31; I Peter 1:2); both are called to be a "peculiar people" separated from the world (Leviticus 20:24-26; Deuteronomy 14:2; Titus 2:14; I Peter 2:9); both were to be hated and persecuted (even to the death) by the world (Psalm 119:161; Psalm 143:3; Matthew 24:9; John 15:20; 17:14); and both are called to holiness (Leviticus 20:7; I Peter 1:15). However, there are many distinctions: Israel is promised a country and a city on this earth, the church a home in heaven. Israel will be ruled by Christ; the church will rule Israel and the world with Him. Two-thirds of all Jews on earth will be killed under Antichrist (Zechariah 13:8-9); but the church will not be on earth at that time, having been married to Christ in heaven (Revelation 19:7-8). Israel will recognize Christ for the first time at His Second Coming; the church will arrive with Him from heaven in triumph (Zechariah 14:4-5; Jude 14) as His bride, never to leave His side. Israel has always been in almost total unbelief, even in the days of Moses (Psalm 81:8-13), but the church was faithful at the beginning and only goes into apostasy in the "last days" (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3). In spite of the complaint that the Israelis don't deserve to be there because of their rebellion and rejection of Christ, their unbelief is no worse now than when God first brought them into the land under Joshua. Israel constantly rebelled and worshiped idols even under Moses on the way to the Promised Land. Israel will come out of apostasy in a total transformation and restoration on this earth (Ezekiel 36-37); but the church sinks ever deeper into apostasy until the Rapture (Acts 20:29-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Jude 3-4, etc.) and will only be perfected in heaven. Israel had already fallen away from the very beginning: the church began well but is in the process of falling away as the apostasy worsens in the last days. At my recent meetings in many places throughout England, a large percentage of those attending had fled apostate churches. As Israel went idolatry, adopting the gods of the nations around her, so the church, through the growing ecumenical movement, embraces false doctrine. Englishmen, whose forebears stood firmly against Rome's grievous heresies in spite of flame and sword, now boast of their unity with the whore of Babylon. While there I thought repeatedly of Hugh Latimer and Nicolas Ridley, in 1555, bound to the same stake at Oxford for refusing to accept the alleged "transubstantiation" of a wafer into the literal body of Christ. As the flames mounted, Latimer exclaimed, "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day by God's grace light such a candle in England as I trust shall never be put out." Tragically, that flame is barely visible. The 16th-century Reformation that transformed England and Europe is now repudiated by the vast majority of Christians and church leaders... Israel's apostasy, including idol worship, is no worse than what...evangelicals have joined in ecumenical partnership. The world is in rebellion against God, but so is the church. Proof of that rebellion is everywhere. In one Normandy cemetery, I stumbled heartbroken through hundreds of the more than 9,000 stark white marble crosses marking, in perfect rows, the graves of men who died in the June 1944 invasion that freed Europe. Each marker bears the name, rank, outfit, and date of death. Unable to fathom such horror, I sobbed uncontrollably, my chest heaving, crying out, "Lord, why did you make man? You knew all the evil and suffering that would result. What is the point of these crosses? How many of these men believed in the Christ who died for their sins?" Here and there was a white marble Star of David. A surprising number of these monuments had no names but only the caption, "Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God." I thought of the many who were not resting but were in agony in the flames of hell. And once more, with heaving chest and irrepressible sobs, I gasped again and again, "Why, Lord? Why?" I knew that God had created man to bestow His love and blessing upon him. This present evil world is not what God made and He cannot be blamed for it. This is the world man has made in defiance of God, by trying to act as his own God. My sobs were only an echo of the cry of God's own heart-which should touch ours. The Father grieves over this world, whether for the centuries-long rejection of His love by His chosen ones, the Jews, or for the apostasy of today's "Christian" church, or for the lost who thumb their noses at His offer of forgiveness for their sins and eternal life in His presence. Let us pray that true repentance will yet come to the church and to the world to gladden the Father's heart and that Christ will see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied. We hear the lament O Jerusalem! echoing through the centuries undiminished, though Jew and Gentile crucified Him there. Now he weeps for the entire world. May we as envoys of His compassion do all we can to rescue as many as possible before it is forever too late. Sun, 29 Oct 2006 05:01:14 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=22 The Duties of Christian Parents By Bishop J.C. Ryle "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 I suppose that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! Come now, and let me place before you a few hints, about right training. Reject them not because they are blunt and simple; despise them not because they contain nothing new. Be very sure, if you would train children for heaven, they are hints that ought not to be lightly set aside. Directive One First, then, if you would train your children rightly, train them in the way they should go, and not in the way that they would. Remember children are born with a decided bias towards evil, and therefore if you let them choose for themselves, they are certain to choose wrong. ‘Foolishness,' says Solomon, ‘is bound in the heart of a child' (Proverbs 22:15). Our hearts are like the earth on which we tread; let it alone, and it is sure to bear weeds. If, then, you would deal wisely with your child, you must not leave him to the guidance of his own will. Train him in the way that is scriptural and right, and not in the way that he fancies. If you cannot make up your mind to this first principle of Christian training, it is useless for you to read any further. Directive Two Train up your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience. I do not mean that you are to spoil him, but I do mean that you should let him see that you love him. Kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, forbearance, patience, sympathy, a willingness to enter into childish troubles, a readiness to take part in childish joys-these are the cords by which a child may be led most easily-these are the clues you must follow if you would find the way to his heart. Directive Three Train with this thought continually before your eyes-that the soul of your child is the first thing to be considered. A true Christian must be no slave to fashion, if he would train his child for heaven. He must not be content to do things merely because they are the custom of the world; to teach them and instruct them in certain ways, merely because it is usual; to allow them to read books of a questionable sort, merely because everybody else reads them; to let them form habits of a doubtful tendency, merely because they are the habits of the day. He must train with an eye to his children's souls. He must not be ashamed to hear his training called singular and strange. What if it is? The time is short-the fashion of this world passeth away. He that has trained his children for heaven, rather than for earth-for God, rather than for man-he is the parent that will be called wise at last. Directive Four Train your child to a knowledge of the Bible...A thorough knowledge of the Bible is the foundation of all clear views of religion. He that is well-grounded in it will not generally be found a waverer, and carried about by every wind of new doctrine. Any system of training which does not make a knowledge of Scripture the first thing is unsafe and unsound. I suspect we have no idea how much a little child can take in of the length and breadth of the glorious Gospel. They see far more of these things than we suppose. Fill their minds with Scripture. Let the Word dwell in them richly. Give them the Bible, the whole Bible, even while they are young. Article taken from the Home Educator's Journal Editor's Note: J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) was the leader of the evangelical party in the Church of England. His preaching and writing were blunt and practical, resulting in numerous conversions and the planting of over forty churches. This article is an edited version of a classic work. I highly recommend reading the full test, which can be found in bookstores and at several online sites including www.anglicanlibrary.org/ryle/parents/ Sun, 29 Oct 2006 05:01:14 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=23 Honor as a Defining Principle for Life Ungrateful Sons, Internet Assassins, and the Spirit of Adonijah In examining Hebrews 12:5-13, I shared my own view that fatherless cultures produce men who do not understand honor, and therefore relate dishonorably to fathers, employers, pastors, and-most importantly-to God the Father. In fact, cultures dominated by prodigal fathers produce men and women who actually view dishonorable conduct as a virtue. It is not surprising, therefore, that we see within American culture (including Evangelical Christianity) a breed of sons who demand the right to self-emancipate, who disdain the blessings of their fathers, and who seek to skirt the Fifth Commandment by dismissing biblical requirements to honor as an idolatrous over-emphasis on fathers. Over the years, I have known ungrateful sons who have physically struck their Christian fathers; I have sat with professing Christian young men intent on justifying their lack of moral self-control on alleged theological differences with their authority figures. It is all too common these days to meet men who will look you in the eye and, in one breath, speak about their profound concern for doctrinal truth, and in the other, shamefully mock and expose the weaknesses of their godly fathers to the world in order to justify their personal rebellion-in the spirit of Ham. There are far too many accounts of professing Christian men who have been richly blessed by employers, pastors, and authority figures who now seek to advance themselves by staging coups against their leaders in the treasonous spirit of Adonijah. High-Tech Dishonor The twenty-first century world of the Internet, instant global communication, and theological pandemonium provides dishonorable men with numerous opportunities to skirt biblical requirements for conflict resolution, to cover their tracks-or simply, to vent. In the past, dishonorable men would serve their family a dish of "roast pastor" at the Sunday brunch table (thus training their children to be embittered, ungrateful whiners), but modern complainers are techno-savvy. Now dissatisfied congregants can dishonorably vent disagreements with their leaders to the world over the Web. Some actually become Internet assassins-men and women intent on destroying the character of the men with whom they disagree, and justifying their electronic "holy jihad" on the grounds that "the world must be warned." It is not difficult to find others who will listen to gossip. And dishonorable men are skilled at finding others with axes to grind with whom alliances can be built. They know how to build armies by finding other dishonorable men who will give theological sanction and justification to their dishonor. They understand that one need not look hard to find a local church or an Internet site that (in the name of Jesus) will justify pretty much anything. The net effect of the ease and accessibility of high-tech, pseudo-anonymous means for dishonor, is that such men become bolder and bolder in their dishonorable activities. They prey upon the undiscerning and repeat their own stories enough times that they believe them as Gospel. Like Adonijah, their self-righteous dogmatism is such that they convince themselves, and all who fall under their spell, that their cause is the only cause. From Such Turn Away It is not accidental that the Bible links disobedient sons to other dishonorable men, including those who are whisperers, proud, inventers of evil things, backbiters, implacable, and covenant breakers (Romans 1:28-31). Second Timothy speaks of traitors and disobedient sons and daughters who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. Specifically: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. (2 Timothy 3:2-4) The biblical remedy for Christians who meet such dishonorable men is simple: From such turn away (2 Timothy 3:5). But a common denominator of this league of dishonorable sons is that, despite their bluff and bluster, despite their self-congratulation and self-approval, these men and women are plagued by troubles. It "is [not] well" with them. Their future will be thorns and thistles, grief and grumblings, and will remain such until they humble themselves before God and seek the Lord's mercy from His righteous sanctions against the ungrateful and the dishonorable. The Promise Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (Deuteronomy 5:16) In contrast, honorable sons and daughters will prosper. They will enjoy the blessing of days in the land which the Lord has given to them (Deuteronomy 5:16). They will have glad fathers (Proverbs 15:20). Unlike dishonorable sons, who will have their lamps put out in obscure darkness (Proverbs 20:20), the path of sons who hear the instructions of their fathers will be illuminated (Proverbs 6:20-23). The law of their mothers will be an ornament of grace on their heads (Proverbs 1:7-9). They will be a joy to those in authority over them (Hebrews 13:17). It will be well with them (Ephesians 6:1-3). There is a surprising work of God-a wonderful revival taking place within segments of the Christian community. It is a revival of generational love where the hearts of parents are being turned toward their children and children toward their parents. Parents are recognizing that true love requires more than good intentions, it requires sheep-feeding (John 21:16; Deuteronomy 6:1-16). This revival is accompanied by a renewed appreciation for the relevance of the entire Word of God, and a passion to return to the old paths wherein there is hope. A hallmark of this revival is the restoration of the Fifth Commandment to the home. Fathers are turning off the television set and picking up the Bible and reading it to their families. Sons are seeking the wisdom and blessing of their mothers and fathers. Wives are turning their hearts toward the gift of motherhood. Daughters are aspiring toward virtue, homemaking, and future motherhood. The revival is in the same spirit as the great work of God between fathers and sons which took place at the time of the coming of John the Baptist. In the last verse of the Old Testament, and the first verse heralding the coming of John, we read of a heart-turning between parents and their children to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Luke 1:17) Doug Phillips President, The Vision Forum, Inc. Sun, 29 Oct 2006 05:01:14 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=21 Polishing our Armor... While the World Waits by Daniel Kenaston I dreamed, and in my dream I stood on a hill overlooking a large plain. The sun was just rising beyond me. I saw in the growing light a great and formidable army, marching in perfect formation, spreading as far as the eye could see. It appeared to me, by observing the demeanor of this large army, that a battle was to be fought in the plain below, for their weapons were gripped tightly. A great battle cry swelled from this advancing horde. I naturally looked to determine what army was about to be engaged by this large and menacing force. The scene that met my eye as I swept the plain below alarmed me. Below me was a small grove of trees. I saw that beneath these trees numerous men were resting and sleeping. At the sound of the battle cry the men started up, shook themselves, and began to call to their fellow comrades to awake and face the enemy. As these men began to arrange themselves into a fighting formation, several things were immediately obvious. They appeared very haggard. They were obviously in recent heavy combat; filthy, wrinkled uniforms, bloody stains on their shirts, and hastily bandaged wounds. This army was not made of men in their prime, fit and ready to fight. Most of the men were quite young, just overgrown boys in oversized uniforms. I wondered at this. One other detail stood out in stark contrast as I surveyed the men now standing at arms below me-their number. It was a very small band. The number was so few that I began to look around behind me, certain that I could not be viewing the entire defending force. Maybe I had only viewed one battalion? The men now were raising their own feeble but hearty battle cry. There was not a single man in reserve, much less whole battalions of comrades to support the motley group of fighters. The battle was now joined in force below me. I was gripped with the awareness that the little band of soldiers now fighting valiantly against the huge oncoming army was on the side of Truth. The large and well-equipped army was evil. I found myself carried along by the weight of its reality as I remained like one in a trance, on the bluff above this scene of war. My heart leapt at every successful arrow from the little band. I winced in pain when one of the tired young men took a painful blow. The battle raged on. Being so engaged in this battle as I was in my heart, the blood drained from my face. A hoarse cry escaped my lips when I realized that quite a number of the men on the defensive side had been either killed or seriously wounded. The few who remained were being slowly pushed back. The conquering army, sensing that victory was within their reach, pulled back slightly to rearrange themselves for the final assault. The bedraggled troops took this moment to catch their breath. I knew that the hum I heard, mixed with the cries and groans of the wounded, was a prayer-a last and desperate prayer for assistance. The bugle sounded from the opposite side, signaling another advance. I saw that several of the men I now call my comrades were looking off behind them into the distant hills, as though searching for something. My eyes followed their gaze. I saw in the distance what they were looking at with such longing and questioning eyes. My heart began to throb with hope. I saw the glint of steel reflecting the morning sun now high in the sky. Could it be, O joyous thought, fresh reserves, new troops to aid in our struggle? Were we to gain victory at last through such a miraculous arrival of back-up troops? Victory is sweet, but victory for our rightful cause, so nearly dead a moment before, would be even sweeter because of our near defeat! I shook myself from my stupor and began to move in the direction of this reflected light, all the more beautiful because of our desperation. I decided to run quickly to these ranks of our comrades to inform them of our plight. As I drew closer to these comrades on whom all of our hopes for rescue and victory hung, I was amazed to find that while it was a large army, it was not marching to our aid. I could clearly hear the sounds of battle behind me and without much difficulty could make out the forms of men in mortal conflict with my naked eye. Sensing that if these sights and sounds did not move them to come to our aid, my shouting to them would do nothing, I resolved to go and inquire of the reasons behind their inactivity in the face of such perils for their brothers-at-arms. I came to the camp and saw immediately that these men were not sitting totally inactive. Each man was working feverishly with a cloth and oil, polishing his armor and weapons. Each piece of military equipment was polished to an incredible luster, truly lovely to behold. With such equipment and obviously careful soldiers we could quickly turn the tide of the horrible carnage below us. Feeling thus, I called for the leader. Upon quickly explaining our predicament to the young and handsome commander, I eagerly awaited his response. I had yet another surprise in store. In a slow and steady, even somewhat condescending tone of voice, he answered: "So you come as a messenger from our brothers fighting yonder, do you? We could tell from the sights and sounds that the enemy is raging. We are sorry to hear from your lips such dread tales of the fury of this army and even more so to hear that many of our comrades have lost their lives in this conflict. We are praying, yes, praying quite seriously that those who remain will be held up by a power not their own and will somehow be able to hold the line against this massive horde of evil. You mentioned us going out to assist them? You must know that though we are comrades in this sacred cause, we are in no wise prepared to march to their assistance. Not that we do not want to, for indeed, many of the less experienced among us wanted to cease our polishing and double march to the battle when they heard the cries of our brothers. "No, we would love to help, and that day may come in due time. But now we are not ready. We certainly do not consider ourselves worthy to go down and fight alongside such battle-wise men. They have experience. We are just raw recruits. We are waiting for the special trumpet blast which signals the call of our commander to come and join the fray. Until the blast it would be presumptuous to think we could assist our brothers. Our duty is to wait. While we wait we are involved in much good and useful work, such as polishing. We take great pride in our armor and weapons." The response stunned me. I stood stock still for several moments. I noticed the commander looking quizzically at me. Realizing that my behavior was to him quite unusual, I turned and looked out over the plain. The army of evil, shouting now in derisive joy, had pushed my lonely, valiant comrades to the very edge of the bluff that ran along the end of the plain. It was here, surrounded by the wicked ones and with nowhere to turn, that my brothers were making their last stand. One by one I saw the enemy archers killing them. The swordsmen completed any work that the archers left unfinished. I forced my gaze away from the now very broken line of soldiers at the edge of the precipice, unable to watch any longer. I turned with an ashen face to the commander I spoke with earlier. But he had moved on to other things. I looked around this great field of able-bodied men sitting in the mid-day sun. Several prayed. A few were napping. The majority was busy with their cloths and oil, trying to polish out some imaginary smudge. The emotion of the moment, caused by the mortal conflict I had just witnessed below contrasted with the futile toil and inactivity all around, overcame me. I cried out. When I cried, I awoke. Wonder of wonders, it was only a dream! Or was it? Brothers and sisters, please understand I write these words with a heart full of love and not condemnation. It is my earnest desire that we all would be in our place, doing our part towards the salvation of the world-specifically the Konkombas from where I write. Forgive me if this sounds harsh, but it does feel to us like God would have many more actively involved in His work here and in other parts of the world. If only our hearts would be more tuned to His heart for the world and less focused on the smudges on our weapons. We are not criticizing your good work at home. We know that much work remains to be done there, but we do experience regularly the spiritual frustration that comes from being unable to answer all of the cries that come our way. We cannot help but wonder if there are not several people whom God has called, but who are somehow missing or postponing the work that God called them to do. Our plea to you is this: Is not the sound of the battle cry you have heard echoing in the pages of these newsletters enough to alert you to be ready for immediate deployment? Is not the fact that most of our missionaries are stretched to the max enough for you to come and at least present yourself to God and others, to see if maybe God is calling you? Are you waiting for a lightning strike to confirm the call that God has on your life? Have we missionaries somehow given you the impression that we are such special people to the point that you do not consider yourself a possible candidate? Do you look up to us to the degree that you realize the dire straits in which we find ourselves? Isn't something better than nothing? When you face the hungry villages and satanic opposition, any sword wielded is welcome, no matter how small. Maybe you are afraid that you will be competing with us here, as if the hundreds of villages without Christ are not space enough for many to work without bumping elbows? No, dear brother or sister, the field is not full. It is quite empty. At any time an old veteran may become worn out and will need to be replaced if the work he began is not to be lost to the enemy. Maybe YOU are the one who is meant to answer the repeated cries I hear for Bible teaching and churches? Maybe YOU should be placed in that hub of thirty villages that I was called to recently, to reach out to the thousands of Konkomba residents without a church or God's word? Maybe that is the reason YOU were born, that hidden nagging reason why you find no satisfaction in what you are filling your life with now? I do not have a revelation from heaven as to whom or how many God has called to this work or other works like it. I do know that God is calling out the same cry that Isaiah got close enough to hear in Isaiah 6, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" He has cried this for thousands of years, most of the time with a very meager response. Only trickles respond to go to the thousands of peoples around the world. To any that question my theology or think I am riding this high horse at the expense of everything else, I beg for your understanding. I know that God does not send all of us across the seas, and those who remain at home are in no way second-class Christians. We are very conscious that we need some of you there. We also acknowledge that God does put all of us through His training school. We are not the ones who decide when that course is finished. The pinpointing of excessive polishing on the part of the soldiers on the hill in no way refers to holiness. We know that to enter warfare with the enemy requires disciplines like training, marching, and even polishing. Please do not allow the details, which I agree I may not have portrayed in all the right balance, dissuade you from feeling the heartbeat of what we are trying to share with you. There is an incredible need for more workers. Recognize the mental pitfalls that keep people off of the front lines and on the hill polishing their swords. If you can understand that I write with a full heart and teary eyes, maybe you can give me some room for a little fanaticism? The hundreds of dying Konkombas I have seen has impressed and changed me. My dear reader, I beg you to think about the above story and words. Ponder them in prayer. Find out where you stand in relation to the great task of evangelism being undertaken by so few when compared to the size of the territory we are defending or taking from Satan. Stand with me on the hill overlooking the fierce conflict that rages. Ask yourself if you are doing all that you can do to aid those who are maintaining their lonely vigil. Maybe your job is in the very vital supply lines. Do it with the awareness of the life and death struggle that is being waged. Prepare yourself to be called to active fighting duty at a moment's notice. Or maybe, just maybe, you feel in your heart a willingness to go and fight beside those valiant but harried troops. Maybe you have realized that you are the answer to your own prayer for God to send out more laborers. Take the sword you have and go in Jesus' name. God bless you. I am told that there is a certain glow that is visible on a sword that has constant use. May that be the new glow on your sword. It is a soft glow that comes, not through feverish polishing, but through valiant fighting and constant use. Maybe you are sitting down, polishing your armor for the thousandth time. I beg you to stop. A battle is in progress where that sword of yours could be put to good use. I implore you, whatever you do, do not sit there polishing your armor...while the world waits. Rise up!It is at the point where we are just about to faint, that God gives us the strength to go on. - Author UnknownAm I a Soldier of the Cross?Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the lamb, and shall I fear to own his cause, or blush to speak his Name? Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas? Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God? Sure I must fight, if I would reign; increase my courage, Lord. I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by thy Word. Thy saints in all this glorious war shall conquer, though they die; they see the triumph from afar, by faith they bring it nigh. When that illustrious day shall rise, and all Thy armies shine in robes of victory through skies, the glory shall be thine.Isaac Watts, 1724 Sun, 29 Oct 2006 05:01:14 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=16 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=16&article_id=12 Your friends at Heritage would like to take a moment and share with you why we exist as a church and a ministry. We want you to know the good news that has changed our lives, our marriages and our families. We want you to know the source of the answer to every question we have had in life; the comfort to every pain, the clarity for every confusion and the peace for every trial. Simply stated, the gospel of John (chapter 3 and verse 16) says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Do you know what that means? You see, the Holy Bible tells us that every one of us was born into sin. Beyond that, each of us has chosen to sin against our Holy God. Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. The word "sin" means many things. For one, we have missed the mark of God; we have failed his standard. Secondly, our "sin" is rebellion against a holy and sin-hating God. In other words, we have gone our own way and rejected His way. Psalm 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. An imperfect god could tolerate our sin and even embrace it but the Great God of Heaven, the One True God, can not. He is Holy. He is pure. He is perfect. His holy nature demands that all sin must be punished. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; A wage is something we earn - it is something for which we work. This death that we have earned is not just physical death. It speaks of a literal separation from God; in this life and in the after-life. Revelation 20:14,15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. So God was separated from His people by their rebellion against Him. We were not capable of making reconciliation with God on our own. So, He made it possible for us. Though sin must be punished, Almighty God came down from heaven and received the punishment you and I deserved so that divine justice might be served and amazing grace might be delivered. God, the Son, came to this earth, lived a sinless life, was crucified on the cross and rose again. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Jesus Christ did this for you and for me and He lives today! He is victorious. He is triumphant. He is our waymaker. He died and lives again that we might die and be born again. Our Lord is not interested in remodeling our old life. He wants us to junk that one and receive a brand new one from Him! You must trust Jesus' sacrificial death to save you from your sin and death. Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.... John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Romans 6:23 ...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. We can not earn or work for our salvation. It is a "gift" from God in spite of what we have done and who we are. Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. We have nothing on our own that can save us. Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Often, we think we know what is right but we are wrong. Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Jesus came and asked those who heard Him to "follow" Him - to live for Him - to believe on and in Him and to become one of His own. He required one thing from them; that is faith. They were required to put their complete faith in Him for life and death. They did this by turning to Him. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. In turning "to" Christ we must turn "from" our sin. Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Dear one, if you have never turned from your sin and trusted Christ - if you have never truly been born again and saved from your sin, please do so today! You can call upon Jesus. You can put your trust in Him. 2 Corinthians 6:2 ... now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Please remember, your relationship to God through Jesus Christ TRULY is a matter of life and death. Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? If you have trusted Christ today, please let us know by emailing us at hope@hbaptist.org. We would love to send you some free material to help you in your walk with Christ. Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:22:40 MST http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=21 http://www.hbaptist.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=21&article_id=34 Mon, 23 Oct 2006 18:18:07 MST